Sitting together, although parted by promoter Eddie Hearn, WBA and IBF super-middleweight champion Froch extended his hand to Groves when prompted by host Adam Smith on Sky Sports’ Ringside show, and after slight reluctance, the challenger accepted.
Froch, 36, gave Groves a firm grip and a nod, before yelping ‘whey’ as the rivals engaged in their solitary friendly gesture since agreeing to fight for the first time last year, and seem to have turned a corner after an extended period of needle.
There has been taunts, shoves and siblings involved in the recent past of the Froch v Groves saga, although Matchroom boss Hearn gave a firm indication this week that he is keen for the fight to speak for itself now that there is no need to sell tickets.
The first fight was one of the most entertaining UK encounters between two home boxers for some time, with the rematch set to be the most lucrative British fight in history at Wembley Stadium in London on May 31.
A controversial stoppage ending to their clash in November has left as sour taste as Froch came on strong late after withstanding a barrage and a knockdown from Groves, before referee Howard Foster waved the fight off in the ninth with the Londoner seemingly fine to continue another round or two.
On Thursday’s show, Froch and his 26 year-old challenger were both still fully confident that they would have won the first and will win the second, although the schoolboy playground stuff seems to have finally turned the corner.
Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay for tweets of upcoming news on WBN
